April 11, 2026
By Seung-hwan Jung

• Byung-gu Hwang, Chairman of the World Korean Business Convention Steering Committee
• Succeeded in the orchid cultivation business in the United States
• First private-sector chairman of the convention
• This year’s event to be held in Songdo, Incheon in September
• Korean businesspeople abroad and global buyers will join forces
• To develop it into a platform for SMEs’ overseas expansion

“I will dedicate my efforts to elevating the World Korean Business Convention while strengthening the discovery of next-generation Korean business leaders.”

Byung-gu Hwang (71), Chairman of the Steering Committee of the World Korean Business Convention (WKBC), pledged a new leap forward for the event in a recent interview with Maeil Business Newspaper.

“We will move away from showcase-style events and develop the convention into a true business exhibition where real deals take place,” he said. “Korean businesspeople abroad (Hansang) and domestic entrepreneurs will work together to revitalize Korea’s economy.”

Hwang was appointed chairman last month, becoming the first private-sector leader to hold the position. Previously, the role had been held by the Commissioner of the Overseas Koreans Agency. The shift reflects an effort to expand private-sector autonomy. Hwang will lead the Steering Committee—the decision-making and executive body of the WKBC—for the next two years.

He envisions transforming the convention into a global economic platform. His strategy includes:

• Establishing a year-round (365-day) network
• Discovering hidden business leaders and expanding membership
• Strengthening alignment with government policies
• Advancing the Hansang database
• Ensuring transparent operations

The 24th World Korean Business Convention will be held from September 28 for three days at Songdo Convensia in Incheon.

Hwang himself is a Korean businessperson based in the United States. After immigrating to Orlando, Florida, in 2001, he founded an orchid cultivation company, Chorus Orchid, growing it into a business with annual sales of $8 million (approx. 11.4 billion KRW). He also successfully led the 2023 Anaheim convention—the first WKBC held overseas—as organizing chairman. He currently serves as the 30th President of the Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA, having previously held the position as the 28th president in 2021.

Q&A

– You are the first private-sector chairman. What are your goals?

“The Steering Committee must become independent from the government and establish a self-sustaining foundation through rational and transparent procedures. I will focus on securing operational funding and building a global Korean business network together with Hansang worldwide. The committee should not be a nominal organization but a foundation where all Korean businesses can grow together.”

– What are your plans for the committee’s activities?

“We plan to divide the global Hansang network into 7–8 regions—such as the Americas, Japan, China, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Latin America—and establish regional leadership teams. We will rotate annual business exhibitions by region. This will create new business opportunities for Korean businesspeople abroad and expand exports for Korean SMEs.

I am a farmer. I understand better than anyone the process of sowing seeds and harvesting crops. The Steering Committee will plant good seeds so that the convention can grow further.”

– What are your ideas for regional exhibitions?

“Recently, I attended the ASD Market Week consumer goods exhibition in Las Vegas with Kim Ki-moon, Chairman of the Korea Federation of SMEs. The event is held every March and August, with many Korean SMEs participating. Over 200 Korean companies are expected to join this August.

My idea is to leverage such exhibitions regionally. Having Hansang participate in major local trade shows offers a highly cost-effective business opportunity.”

– What differentiates this year’s convention?

“I’m a businessman. Business must happen at the convention—that’s why attracting buyers is crucial. We will thoroughly prepare in advance so participating companies can achieve real results. Cooperation with organizations such as KOTRA and aT is also important.

We will also support overseas buyers from countries where Hansang reside to attend. If 1,000 Hansang participate, we can bring in over 1,000 global buyers. The stage of the convention is now global.

This will also be the first convention held in Incheon since the Overseas Koreans Agency was established there in 2023. With strong support from both the agency and the city of Incheon, we will ensure the event’s success.”

– You achieved success in orchid cultivation in the U.S.

“I used to grow orchids in Korea, but the market structure made it unprofitable. I tried exporting to Japan and China, but it wasn’t easy. That’s why I chose the United States.

I immigrated to Orlando, Florida, with my family in 2001. I found buyers by participating in the Tropical Plant International Expo (TPIE). Once you build a relationship, a buyer becomes a lifelong customer, not a one-time client.

Through customized services, word-of-mouth spread among buyers, and the business grew. Support from fellow Koreans was also significant. Now, the farm has become a stable operation in the U.S.

My dream is to establish orchid distribution centers in all 50 states. I also have a vision to create an orchid export complex in Korea as a bridgehead for U.S. exports. It’s not an easy path, but I am determined to take on the challenge.”

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Byung-gu Hwang (Profile)

• Born in 1955
• 1988: Chairman, Ulsan Farmers’ Association
• 2001: CEO, Chorus Orchid (USA)
• 2016: President, Central Florida Korean Chamber of Commerce
• 2019: Chairman, Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA
• 2022: Co-Chair, 20th WKBC
• 2023: Organizing Chairman, 21st WKBC
• 2025: 30th President, Korean American Chamber of Commerce USA
• 2026: Chairman, WKBC Steering Committee

Maeil Business Newspaper
Reporter: Seung-hwan Jung (Business & Industry)
Photo: Juhyung Han